Isoallospirostane derivatives and process



United States Patent g a ISOALLOSPIRDSTANE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS 2' Norman L. Wendler, Linden, and HarryrL. Slates,"-Roselle,

N. J., assignors to Merck -& Co.,'Inc., Rahway, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Application January "8, 1952, Serial No. 265531 7 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) Wehave discovered that BB-hydroxy-IZ keto-22 isoallo- Gompound-4 flompoundb "spirostane can be prepared by reacting 2;3-dihydroXy-12- keto-22-isoallospirostane, commonly known as manogenin (compound 1, hereinbelow,"the *radical R beingketo) .or 2,3,12-trihydroxya22aisoallospirostane, commonly known as agavogenin (compound 1, the radical R being hydroxyQ with a'hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloridetoproduce the corresponding 2,3-bis(hydrocarbomsulfonoxy)-12- oxygenated-ZZ-isoallospirostane compound (compound 2), reacting the latter compound with an alkali metal iodide to produce the corresponding A B-oxygenated- 22-isoallospirostene compound (compound 3), reacting said A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound with perbenzoic acid, or other organic per-acid, thereby forming the corresponding 2,3-epoxy-12-oXygenated-22- isoallospirostane compound (compound 4), reacting this \epoxide with a reducing agent to produce 3a,12-dihydroxyQ'Z-isoallospirostane (compound 5), reacting said 3u,12-dihydroxy-ZZ-isoallospirostane with chromic acid to form 3,12 diketo-22-isoallospirostane, commonly known as hecogenone' (compound 6), reacting the latter compound with a reducing agent to form 3fl,l2-dihydroxy- ZZ-Isoa'llospirostane, commonly 'known as rockogenin (compound 7), reacting .said 3:5,12-dihydroxy 22-isoallospirost'ane with approximately one equivalent of an acylating agent "thereby selectively "acylatin'g the -Bis-hydroxy group and forming '3B=acyloxy1z-hydroxy-zzeisoallospirostane (compound 8), reacting 'this "compound with chromic acid to (form '3fi-acyloxy-12 keto-22 isoallospirostane (compound 9), and reacting the 'latter compound with a hydrolyzing agent to produce 3B-hydroxy- 1 2-keto22-isoallospirostane, commonly known as hecogen-in (compound 10 The reactions indicated hereinabove may be chemically"represented'as'fdllows:

Chromic acid Compound 6 Compound 7 Compound l0 In the foregoing formulae, R is a keto or hydroxy radical, R3 is acyl, and R1 is an alkyl, aryl or aralkyl radical.

As starting materials in carrying out our novel process we can employ the free, naturally-occurring 2,3-dihydroxy-lZ-keto-(or hydroxy)-allo-sapogenins (wherein rings A and B are in the so-called trans configuration, i. e. the connection of the rings is such that the 0-10 methyl group and the C-5 hydrogen atom are trans with respect to the plane formed by ring A) which can be obtained from agave plants as described in J. A. C. S. 69, 2167 (1947). Suitable starting materials include the pure sapogenius manogenin (2,3-dihydroxy-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane) and agabogenin (2,3-dihydroxy-12-hydroxy-22- isoallospirostane) Instead of starting with the pure sapogenin, we can also employ cryde mixtures of these sapogenins containing the corresponding A -dehydro-manogenin, 2,3-dihydroxy-12- keto-9,1l-dehydro-22-isoallospirostane (compound 11 hereinbelow), and A -dehydro-agavogenin, 2,3-dihydroxy- 12-hydroxy-9,l1-dehydro-22-isoallospirostane (compound 12) which may be structurally represented as follows:

Compound 11 Compound 12 Crude manogenin, as obtained from the plant, is usually a mixture consisting of approximately 60 parts of manogenin and 40 parts of A -dehydro-manogenin. Since the separation of the saturated from the unsaturated genin is extremely difiicult, the fact that such mixtures can be utilized in our process constitutes an important and advantageous feature of our invention.

Where a mixture of the sapogenin and its A -dehydroderivative (that is a mixture of the 2,3-dihydroxy-12-oxygenated-isoallospirostane and A -2,3-d1hydroxy-12-oxy- Compound 8 O O l I 0 Chromic I acid R20 3 Compound9 Hydrolizmg agent genated-2Z-isoallospirostene) is employed as the starting material, the crude mixture is reacted directly with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to produce a mixture containing the corresponding 2,3-bis (hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy)-l2-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound and A -2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy) l2 oxygenated 22- isoallospirostene compound. The mixture thus formed is reacted with an alkali metal iodide thereby producing a mixture containing the corresponding A -12-oxygenated- 22-isoallospirostene compound admixed with the A -12 oxygenated-ZZ-isoallospirostadiene compound. This mixture is reacted with metallic sodium and a lower alkanol, such as butanol, thereby reducing the A -double bond of the A -l2-oxygenated-2Z-isoallospirostadiene compound without substantially alfecting the unsaturated linkage attached to the carbon atom in the 2-position of the molecule, to produce a reduction product containing, as essentially the sole component, the corresponding A 12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound (compound 3 hereinabove).

In carrying out our novel procedure, the 2,3-dihydroxy-12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound, such as 2,3-dihydroxy-1Z-keto-22-isoallospirostane, 2,3,12-trihydroxy-ZZ-isoallospirostane and the like, or a mixture of said 2,3-dihydroxy-12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane and the corresponding A -2,3-dihydroxy-12-oxygenated-. 22-isoallospirostene compound such as A -2,3-dihydroxy- 12 keto 22 isoallospirostene, A 2,3,12 trihydroxy- 22-isoallospirostene and the like is brought into contact with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride, as for example, an alkane sulfonyl chloride such as methane sulfonyl chloride, ethane sulfonyl chloride, an aryl sulfonyl chloride such as benzene sulfonyl chloride, p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, an aryl-substituted alkane sulfonyl chloride such as phenyl-methane sulfonyl chloride, and the like. This reaction is conveniently.v conducted by bringing the reactants together in solution in a tertiary amine such as pyridine. The tertiary amine is preferably anhydrous, and the temperature of the reaction mixture is ordinarily maintained within the range of about 0-5 C. Under these reaction conditions the acylation reaction is substantially complete in about 24 hours. Where the starting material employed in the reaction contains a 12- hydroxy substituent, as in 2,3,l2-trihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane or A -2,3, l 2-trihydroxy-22-isoallospirostene, we ordinarily utilize substantially two molecular equivalents of hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to one molecular equivalent of the 2,3,l2-trihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane or A -dehydro derivative, whereby the hydroxy suba es-sun? sulfonoxy) 12 oxygenated 22- isoallospirost-anesuch as-2, 3 -'bis('me'thane sulfonoxy) 12 keto 22 is'o* allospirostane, 2,3 bis(benzcne -'sulfonoxy') -.12-- keto- 22 isoallospirostane, 2,3 Lis(p toluene sulfon'oxy)' 12 keto 22 isoallospirostane, 2,3 bis(methanesulfon'oxy) 12 hydroxy 22 isollospirostane, 2,3- bis'tbenzene sulfonoxy) 12 hydroxy 22 isoallo'spirosta'ne, 2,3 bis(p toluene sulfonoxy) 12 hydfoX-y-ZZ-isoallospirostane; where a mixture of the pure s'apogeriin and its A -dehydro derivative is utilized, the Product of the reaction with the hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride consists of a mixture of the '2,3-bis(hydrocarbonsulfonoxy) 12 oxygenated 22 isoallospirostane (such-as the compounds enumerated hereinabove) and the corresponding A 2,3 bis(hydrocarbon -sulfonoxy) 12 oxy'g'enated 22 -isoallospirostene, such as A 2,3- bis'(methane sulfonoxy) 12 keto 22 isoallospirostene, A 2,3 bis(benzene sulfonoxy) 12 keto- 22 isoallospir'ostene, A 2,3 bis(p toluene sulfonoxy) 12 keto 22 isoallospirostene, A 2,3- bis(m'ethan'e sulfonoxy) -12 hydroxy 22 isoallospirostene, A 2,3 -'bis(benzene sulfonoxy) '12 hydroxy 22- isoallospirost'ene, A 2,3 bis(p toluenefullfonoxy) l2 hydroxy 22 isoallospirostene, and the The reaction between the sodium iodide and the 2,3- bis(hydrocarbon sulfonox-y) 12 oxygenated 22- isoall'ospirostane compounds, or between sodium iodide andmixt'ures of these 2,3 bis(hydrocarbon sulfonoxy) -l2 oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compounds and their -A +dehyd1o-derivatives, is carried outby bringing the reactants together in acetone solution, preferably at a temperature of about 100 C., under which conditions" the elements of-the'hydrocarbon sulfonic acid are eliminated from the molecule togive the'corresponding A 12- oxyg'enated-22-isoallospirostene compound such as A 12- keto 22 isoallospirostene, A 12 hydroxy 22 isoallo'spriostene, and the like; where a mixture of 2,3-bis- (hydrocarbon sulfonoxy) 12 oxygenated 22 isoallospirostane compound and its -A -dehydro-derivative is reacted with sodium iodide the product is the corresponding A -l2-oxygen'ated-22-isoallospirostene admixed withA' 12 --oxyg'en-ated 22 isoallospiros'tadiene such as A 12 -:keto 22 isoallospirostadiene, A 12 -'hydroxy 22 isoallospirostadiene, and the like.

H As set forth hereinabove, where a mixture of the A .12-oxygenated-isoallospirostene compound and the corresponding A 1 2 oxygenated 22 isoallospirostadiene compound-is obtained in accordance with the foregoing procedure, this mixture isreacted with metallic sodium in a lower alkanol such as butanol, preferably at the reflux temperature, whereby the A -double bond in the A l2 oxygenated 22 isoallospirostadiene component of said mixture is reduced without substantially affecting the unsaturated linkage attached to the carbon atom in the 2 -position of the molecule, to produce the other component of the mixture, the A -12-oxygenated- 22-isoallospirostene compound.

These A l2 oxygenated 22 isoallospirostene compounds such as A -l2-keto-22-isoallospirostene, A -l2- hydroxy '22 -isoallospirostene, and the like (whether obtained utilizing pure manogenin or agavogenin as starting materials or whether obtained utilizing as starting substances these sapogenins admixed with their A -dehydro derivatives), are then reacted with an organic peracid such as perbenzoic acid, perphthalic acid, and the like. The reaction between the A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene and the organic per-acid is ordinarily carried out by bringing the reactants together in solution in a noii-oxidizable organic solvent such as benzene, chloroform, and-the like, preferably at a temperature within the range of 10 C., thereby forming the corresponding 2,3-epoxy 12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound such as 2,3-epoxy-12-keto-22-isoa1lospirostane,2,3-epoxy- 12=hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, and the like.

a The 2,3 epoxy-12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound isthen reacted with a reducing agent, preferably lithium aluminum hydride, whereby the 2,3-epoxy substituent is converted to a Zia-hydroxy grouping and, at-the same time, any nuclear keto radicals present in the molecule are converted to the corresponding hydroxy grouping. Thus, irrespective of whether 2.3-epoxy-12- keto 22-isoallospirostane or 2,3-epoxy-12-hydroxy-22- 'is'oallospirostane is utilized in the reaction with lithium aluminum hydride,.the product'obtained is the 30.l2-di- "hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane. The reduction procedure is ord'inarily 'carried out by intimately contacting the-2,3 epoxy l2 oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane .compound and the reducing agent in a liquid medium; where lithium aluminum hydride is used as the reducing agent, the reaction is preferably conducted in either solution and 'at a temperaturewithin the range of about 25 40 C.

Although the 3 at,1 2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane produced in'accordance with the foregoing reduction procedure may be isolated in ,pure form if desired, we ordinarily react the crude 3a,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallo= spirostanewith an oxidizingagent such as chromic acid, thereby producing 3,12-diketo-22-isoallospirostane, commonly -kuown as hecogenone. The reaction between the crude 3a,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane and the chromic acid is conducted by intimately contacting the reactants in a non-oxidizable liquid medium, such as acetic acid, preferably at a temperature of about 25 C. Under these conditions the oxidation reaction is ordinarily complete in about'thirtyfminutes. The hecogenone thus produced is recovered from the reaction mixture (after destroying any excess oxidizing agent which may .be present) by evaporating the solvent, and the crude residualhe'cogenone is purified by recrystallization from an organic solvent such as ether. 3

The 3,12-diketo-2Z-isoallospirostane (hecogenone) is then' reacted with areducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, utiliz'mg substantially the same reaction conditionsas those described hereinabove in connection with'there'duction of the 2,3-epoxy-12-oxygenated-22-iso allospirostane .comp'ound, thereby forming 3,8,12-dihy- 'd'roxy-22-isoallospirostane.

The latter compound is then subjected to a partial acylation reaction, preferablyutilizing as the acylating agent succinic anhydride in. pyridine, to formthe corresponding 3/3 acyloxy-lZ-hydroxy 22 isoallospirostane compound such as 3,8 (fi-carboxy-propionoxy) 12 hydroxy-22-isoallos'pirostane, andtne like. The latter compound is then reacted with an oxidizing agent, such as chromic acidin acetic acid (utilizing substantially the same reaction conditions as those employed hereinabove for the oxidation of the 3e,lZ-dihydroxy-ZZ-isoallospirostarre) thereby producing the corresponding 3B-acylox -l2-keto-isoallospiros'ta'ne such as 3p-(,B-carboxy-propionoxy)-12-keto-22 isoallospirostane.

The 3B-acyloxy-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane is then reacted with a saponifying agent, such as an aqueous solution of analkali metalhydr'oxide. It is ordinarilyjpreferred'to conduct the saponification by heating an aqueous methanol solution containing potassium hydroxide and the 35 acyloxy 12 keto 22-isoallospirostane compound under reflux thereby forming the desired 3B-hydr'oxy-12- keto-22-isoallospirostane, commonly known as 'hecogenin. The hecogenin is'conveniently recovered by evaporating the hydrolysis solution to dryness, the residual crude 'he-cogenin is readily purified by' extracting the residuewith chloroform, Washing the chloroform solution with water,

andcrystallizing the crude product from a mixture of chloroform and ethyl acetate.

The following examples illustrate methods of carrying out the present invention but it is to be'un'derstood'that these examples are given for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Example 1 eral times with water and dried. The dry material was recrystallized from acetone-ethyl acetate'to 'give 11 g. of

crystalline 2,'3-bis(mesyloxy)-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane;

M. P. 24l-242 C. dec. Analysis.Calcd for C2sH4eO9S2: C, 57.81;'H, 7.64; S, 10.63. Found: C, 57.93; H, 7.52; S, 1071.

Example 2 Six grams of 2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-l2-keto-22-isoallospiro stane'and 25 g. of sodium iodide were dissolved in.300.cc. of acetone and the solution was heated at a temperature of about C. in a ciosed vessel under pressure for a period of about seventeeen hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered thereby removing the precipitated sodlum methane sulfonate by-product and the latter was washed with copious portions of acetone. The acetone mother liquor and washings were combined and the acetone evaporated therefrom in vacuo. The residual material was dissolved in ether-chloroform and the resulting solution was washed free of iodine with 2% aqueous sodium thiosulfate solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated to dryness, and the residual material was recrystallized from acetone to give 2.9 g. of A lZ-keto-Z2-isoallospirostene; M. P. 182-184 C. Analysis.Calcd for Cz'zHioOs: C, 78.59; H, 9.77. Found: C, 78.81; H, 9.73.

Example 3 Eight and two-tenths cubic centimeters of a benzene solution of perbenzoic acid (0.33 millimole per cc.) was added to a solution of 1 g. of A -12-keto-22-isoallospiro stene in 10 cc. of benzene. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand at a temperature of about -10 C. for a period of about forty-eight hours. The reaction solution was diluted to four times its volume with ether, and the resulting ethereal solution was washed free of excess perbenzoic acid with cold aqueous sodium carbonate solution. The Washed ethereal solution was dried, evaporated to dryness and the residual material was recrystallized from ether-petroleum ether to give 0.6-0.7 g. of 2a,3a-epoxy-l2-keto-isoallospirostane; M. P. 199-201 C. Analysis.-Calcd for Carl-14004: C, 75.70; H, 9.35. Found: C, 76.02; H, 9.35.

Example 4 One gram of 2ot,3a-epoxy-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane was dissolved in 35 cc. of anhydrous ether, and the solution was added, with stirring to a solution of 200 mg. of lithium aluminum hydride in 70 cc. of ether, while maintaining the temperature of the mixture at about 25 C. The resulting solution was stirred at a temperature of about 25 C. for an additional period of forty-five minutes, and then at the reflux temperature of the ether solution for a five minute period. The reaction mixture was cooled to a temperature of about 0 C. and aqueous hydrochloric acid was added to the cold reaction mixture to decompose unreacted lithium aluminum hydride. The ethereal reaction solution was separated from the aqueous layer, washed with water, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The dry ethereal solution was then evaporated to give approximately 1 g. of crude 3a,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane which was obtained in the form of an amorphous powder.

One gram of crude 3a,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane was dissolved in 125 cc. of acetic acid and to the solution was added a solution of 750 mg. of chrornic acid anhydride in 50 cc. of 80% aqueous acetic acid. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand at a temperature of about 25 C. for a period of about thirty minutes. Sufficient methanol was added to the reaction mixture to destroy the excess oxidizing agent, and the solvents were evaporated from the solution in vacuo. The residual material was extracted with ether, and the ether solution was washed thoroughly with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution thereby removing acidic materials. The ethereal solution was then dried and the ether evaporated therefrom to give 0.49 g. of 3,12-diketo-22-isoallospirostane (commonly known as hecogenone) which was obtained in the form of small colorless needles; M. P. 238241.5 C. Analysis.-Calcd for C27H40O4: C, 75.70; H, 9.35. Found: C, 75.44; H, 9.09.

Example 5 To a solution of 1.5 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 100 ml. of dry ether was added dropwise, with stirring, a solution of 1.7 g. of 3,12-diketo-22-isoallospirostane (hecogenone) dissolved in 75 ml. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was stirred for two hours at room temperature, and the excess lithium aluminum hydride was decomposed first with ice water and then with ice-cold dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried and the solvents evaporated therefrom to give 3fl,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane which was obtained in the form of an oily residue which crystallized on standing; M. P. 198-202 C.

The crude 319,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane prepared as described above was dissolved in 20 ml. of anhydrous pyridine, treated with 3 g. of succinic anhydride, and the mixture heated at a temperature of C. for two or three hours in a nitrogen atmosphere. At the end of this period, the pyridine was evaporated from the solution in vacuo, and the residual material was extracted with water and chloroform. The chloroform layer was extracted with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid, washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to give 2.4 g. of crude 3,8-(fi-carboxy-propionoxy) -12-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane.

A solution of the crude 3p-(,8-carboxy-propionoxy)- 12-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane (prepared as described above) in 60 ml. of acetic acid containing 350 mg. of chromic acid was allowed to stand at a temperature of about 25 C. for a period of about fifteen hours. Suflicient methanol was added to the reaction mixture to decompose the excess chromic acid, and the solvents were evaporated from the resulting mixture in vacuo. The residual material was dissolved in chloroform-ether, and the organic layer was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and evaporated to dryness to give 2.16 g. of crude 3,8-(/8-carboxy-propionoxy)-12-keto-22- isoallospirostane. The crude 3 3-(p-carboxy-propionoxy)- l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane was dissolved in 50 ml. of methanol, a solution of 4 g. of potassium hydroxide in 5 cc. of water was added to the methanolic solution, and the resulting mixture was heated under reflux for a period of about four hours in a nitrogen atmosphere. The solvents were evaporated from the reaction solution in vacuo, and the residual material was extracted with chloroform. The chloroform solution was washed with water until neutral, dried and evaporated to dryness. The residual crystalline material was crystallized from chloroformethyl acetate to give substantially pure 3;9-hydroxy-12 keto-22-isoallospirostane, commonly known as hecogenin, which was obtained in the form of silvery plates or prisms; M. P. 263-264 C.

Example 6 Ten grams of a dry mixture of 2,3-dihydroxy-12-keto- 22-isoallospirostane and A -2,3-dihydroxy-12keto-22-isoallospirostene were dissolved in 100 cc. of anhydrous pyridine, and 10 cc. of methane sulfonyl chloride were added to the resulting solution while maintaining the temperature at about 0 C. The resulting mixture was allowed to stand at a temperature of 0 to 10 C. for a period of about twenty-four hours, and the reaction product was then poured into ice-water. The solid material which crystallized from the aqueous mixture was recovered by filtration, washed several times with water and dried. The dry material was recrystallized from acetone-ethyl acetate to give about 10 g. of a mixture of 2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane and A 2,3-bis(mesyloxy) -12-keto-22-isoallospirostene.

Example 7 Six grams of a mixture of 2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-l2keto- 22-isoallospirostane and A -2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-12-keto- 22-isoallospirostene (prepared as described in Example 6), and 25 g. of sodium iodide were dissolved in 300 cc. of acetone, and the solution was heated at a temperature of about 100 C. in a closed vessel under pressure for a period of about seventeen hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered thereby removing the precipitated sodium methane sulfonate by-product and the latter was washed with copious portions of acetone. The acetone mother liquor and washings were combined, and the acetone evaporated therefrom in vacuo. The residual material was dissolved in ether-chloroform, and the resulting solution was washed free of iodine with 2% aqueous sodium thiosulfate solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated to dryness, and the residual material was recrystallized from acetone to give about 3 grams of a mixture of A -12-keto-22- isoallospirostene and A -1Z-keto-22-isoallospirostadiene.

Example 8 About 3 grams of a mixture of M-lZ-keto-ZZ-isoallospirostene, and A -12-keto-22-isoallospirostadiene (prepared as described in Example 7 hereinabove) were dissolved in 500 cc. of n-butanol. The resulting solution was heated at the reflux temperature, and 15 g. of metallic sodium were added portion-wise to the solution at a rate so as to maintain a vigorous reaction. After all of the sodium had reacted, 200 ml. of water was added to the reaction solution and the butanol was evaporated from the aqueous butanol solution in vacuo. The residual aqueous slurry was filtered and the crystalline product dried to give A -12-keto-22-isoallospirostene substantially free of the A -dehydroderivative.

This product was converted to 3fi-hydroxy-l2-keto-22- isoallospirostane (hecogenin) in accordance with the procedure described in Examples 3, 4 and 5 hereinabove.

Various changes and modifications may be made in carrying out the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within the purview of the annexed claims, they are to be considered as part of our invention.

We claim:

1. The process which comprises reacting a 2,3-dihydroxy-l2-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to produce the corresponding 2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy)-l2-oxygenated- 22-isoallospirostane compound, reacting this compound with an alkali metal iodide to form the corresponding A -l2-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound, reacting said A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound with an organic per-acid to produce the corresponding 2,3-epoxy-12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound, reacting the lattercompound with a reducing agent thereby forming 3m,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3a,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with an oxidizing agent to produce 3,12-diketo-22-isoallospirostane, reacting this compound with a reducing agent to form 318,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3/3,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with approximately one equivalent of an acylating agent to produce the corresponding 3 8-acyloxy-l2-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with an oxidizing agent thereby forming the corresponding 3B-acyloxy-l2-keto- 22-isoallospirostane, and reacting the latter compound with a hydrolyzing agent to produce 3 3-hydroxy-12-keto- 22-isoallospirostane.

2. The process which comprises reacting a mixture of a 2,3-dihydroxy-1Z-oXygenated-22-isoallospirostane compound and the corresponding A -2,3-dihydroxy-l2-oxygenated-ZZ-isoallospirostene compound with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to produce a mixture of the corresponding 2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy)-12-oxygen ated-22-isoallospirostane compound, and the corresponding A -2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy) -12-oxygenated-22- isoallospirostene compound, reacting this mixture with an alkali metal iodide to form a mixture of the corresponding A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound and the corresponding A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostadiene compound, reacting said mixture with metallic sodium in a medium comprising a lower aliphatic alcohol thereby converting the A -l2-oxygenated-22- isoallospirostadiene component of the mixture to the corresponding A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound, reacting said A -12-oxygenated-22-isoallospirostene compound with an organic per-acid to produce the corresponding 2,3-epoxy-12-oxygenated-22-isoallospir0- stane compound, reacting the latter compound with a reducing agent thereby forming 3a,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 30c,IZ-dihYdI'OXY-ZZ-lSOfillO- spirostane with an oxidizing agent to produce 3,12-diketo- 22-isoallospirostane, reacting this compound with lithium aluminum hydride to form 3 6,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3B,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with approximately one equivalent of an acylating agent to produce the corresponding 3 3-acyloxy-12-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with an oxidizing agent thereby forming the corresponding 3 3-acyloxy-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane, and reacting the latter compound with a hydrolyzing agent to produce 3B-hydroxy-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane.

3. The process which comprises reacting 2,3-dihydroxy- 12-keto-22-isoallospirostane with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to produce the corresponding 2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy)-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane compound, reacting this compound with an alkali metal iodide to form A -l2-keto-22isoallospirostane, reacting said A2-l2- keto-22-isoallospirostene with an organic per-acid to produce 2,3-epoxy-l2-keto-22-isoa1lospirostane, reacting the latter compound with a reducing agent thereby forming 3a,l2-dihydroxy-22isoallospirostane, reacting said 3a,12- dihydroxy-Z2-isoallospirostane with an oxidizing agent to produce 3,12-diketo-22-isoallospirostane, reacting this compound with a reducing agent to form 3,8,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3fl,12-dihydroxy 22-isoallospirostane with approximately one equivalent of an acylating agent to produce the corresponding 313- acyloxy-12-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting the lat ter compound with an oxidizing agent thereby forming the corresponding 3B-acyloxy-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane, and reacting the latter compound with a hydrolyz ing agent to produce 3fl-hydroxy-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane.

4. The process which comprises reacting 2,3-dihydroxy- 12keto-22-isoallospirostane with a hydrocarbon sulfonyl chloride to produce the corresponding 2,3-bis(hydrocarbon-sulfonoxy)-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane compound, reacting this compound with an alkali metal iodide to form A -l2-keto-22-isoallospirostene, reacting said A -12- keto-22-isoallospirostene with an organic per-acid to produce 2,3-epoxy-l2-keto-22-isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with lithium aluminum hydride thereby forming 3a,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3a,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with chromium trioxide to produce 3,lZ-diketo-22-isoallospirostane, reacting this compound with lithium aluminum hydride to form 3 8,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 35,l2-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with approximately one equivalent of an acylating agent to produce the corresponding 3- 8 acyloxy l2 hydroxy-ZZ-isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with chromium trioxide thereby forming the corresponding 3p-acyloxy-l2- keto-22-isoallospirostane, and reacting the latter compound with a hydrolyzing agent to produce 3,3-hydroxyl2-keto-22-isoallospirostane.

5. The process which comprises reacting 2,3-dihydroxy- 12-keto-22-isoallospirostane with methane sulfonyl chloride to form 2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane, heating the latter compound with sodium iodide in a medium comprising acetone to form A -12-keto-22- isoallospirostene, reacting said A -12-keto-isoallospiro stene with per-benzoic acid to produce 2,3-epoxy-12-keto- 22-isoallospirostane, reacting this compound with lithium aluminum hydride thereby forming 3a,12-dihydroxy-22- isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with chromic acid in a medium comprising acetic acid to produce 3,1Z-diketo-22-isoallospirostane, reacting said 3,12- diketo-22-isoallospirostane with lithium aluminum hydride to form 319,12-dihydroxy-22-isoallospirostane, reacting the latter compound with succinic anhydride in pyridine to form 3 8-(B-carboxy-propionoxy)-12-hydroxy-22- isoallospirostane, reacting said 3fl-(fl-carboxy-propionoxy)-12-hydroxy-22-isoallospirostane with chromic acid in acetic acid to form 3,8-(B-carboxy-propionoxy)-12- keto-22isoallospirostane, and reacting the latter compound with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide to produce 3j8-hydroxy-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane.

6. 2,3 bis(hydrocarbon sulfonoxy) 22 isoallospirostane compounds having a radical selected from the group consisting of keto and hydroxy radicals attached to the C-12 carbon atom.

7. 2,3-bis(mesyloxy)-12-keto-22-isoallospirostane.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,408,833 Wagner Oct. 8, 1946 2,408,834 Wagner Oct. 8, 1946 2,408,835 Wagner Oct. 8, 1946 

1. THE PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES REACTING A 2,3-DIHYDROXY-12-OXYGENATED-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE COMPOUND WITH A HYDROCARBON SULFONYL CHLORIDE TO PRODUCE THE CORRESPONDING 2,3-BIS (HYDROCARBON-SULFONOXY)-12-OXYGENATED22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE COMPOUND, REACTING THIS COMPOUND WITH AN ALKALI METAL IODIDE TO FORM THE CORRESPONDING $2-12-OXYGENATED-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTENE COMPOUND, REACTING SAID $2-12-OXYGENATED-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTENE COMPOUND WITH AN ORGANIC PER-ACID TO PRODUCE THE CORRESPONDING 2,3-EPOXY-12-OXYGENATED-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE COMPOUND, REACTING THE LATTER COMPOUND WITH A REDUCING AGENT THEREBY FORMING 3A,12-DIHYDROXY-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE, REACTING SAID 3A, 12-DIHYDROXY-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE WITH AN OXIDIZING AGENT TO PRODUCE 3,12-DIKETO-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE, REACTING THIS COMPOUND WITH A REDUCING AGENT TO FORM 3B,12-DIHYDROXY-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE, REACTING SAID 3B,12-DIHYDROXY-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE WITH APPROXIMATELY ONE EQUIVALENT OF AN ACYLATING AGENT TO PRODUCE THE CORRESPONDING 3B-ACYLOXY-12-HYDROXY-22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE, REACTING THE LATTER COMPOUND WITH AN OXIDIZING AGENT THEREBY FORMING THE CORRESPONDING 3B-ACYLOXY-12-KETO22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE, AND REACTING THE LATTER COMPOUND WITH A HYDROLYZING AGENT TO PRODUCE 3B-HYDROXY-12-KETO22-ISOALLOSPIROSTANE. 